Pair in Vic court over $1.3b drug haul

Two men are in custody in Melbourne after being extradited from Sydney in connection with a record $1.3 billion drug haul.

The seizure of 1.7 tonnes of ice in California on January 9, allegedly destined for Australia, was the biggest domestic seizure of methylamphetamine in the US, and authorities believe there may be links to Mexican cartels and bikie gangs.

Van Dung Le, 31, and Chi Chong Vu, 25, briefly appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, with the court told Le was withdrawing from cocaine in custody.

Le has been charged with attempting to import methamphetamine in a commercial quantity, while Vu is accused of attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

During their brief filing hearing, Le wore a T-shirt with the word "OBEY" written on it.

The court was told three other people have been charged in connection with the same case.

Tuan Ngoc Tran and Americans Nasser Abo Abdo and Leonor Fajardo, all residents of Melbourne, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday. They were arrested during a series of raids across suburbia last week.

Related Articles

"This is the largest seizure of ice bound for Australia ever. This is the largest seizure ever located in the USA," Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce Hill told reporters in Melbourne on Friday, as news of the bust was made public.

"We now believe Mexican cartels are actively targeting Australia. They have been sending smaller amounts of ice over the years but this is now flagging the intent that Australia is now being targeted," Mr Hill said.

"This cartel is among one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking syndicates in the world."